Shapps promises roads ‘in top condition’ within months

28/08/2020
Chris Ames

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has launched what his department called a first-of-its-kind audit into the mapping of potholes in England ‘to better target improvements so that roads are in top condition as people return to work and school’.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it will work with highway data and mapping company Gaist alongside businesses such as Deliveroo, Uber, Tesco and Ocado, and local highway authorities to identify ‘pothole hot-spots'.

Officials said that combining collated data on potholes held by nationwide businesses, and ‘the most up-to-date bank of roads imagery in the country’ from Gaist, the DfT will be able to paint the most comprehensive picture ever of where funding is most needed to ‘make sure’ roads are not plagued by potholes – ‘making them as safe as possible as more commuters and students undertake journeys in the coming months’.

‘The plan will help cyclists and motorist (sic) get back to school and work,’ officials said, adding that said the pothole mapping review will allow for the Government to ably target the worst-affected areas.

The Government did not announce any new funding for repairs or set out any mechanism for targeting areas with roads in poor condition but officials pointed out that the Government has committed £2.5bn over five years for pothole repairs.

The latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey, published in March, estimated that it would take 11 years to catch-up with the backlog of repairs on the local road network, at a cost of £11.14bn.

In the foreword to the survey, Rick Green, chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, pointed out that £500m extra a year for English local authorities 'is not even enough to plug the £616 million reported shortfall in carriageway maintenance'.

Officials said the launch of the review comes as new data reveals that highway maintenance works undertaken in the past months when roads were quieter has led to 319 miles of resurfacing.

Mr Shapps appeared to take credit for this. He said: ‘I want our roads to be as safe as possible, so during the lockdown we’ve resurfaced hundreds of miles of road. But now I want to go further by identifying critical potholes and ensuring these are fixed as quickly as possible.

‘We’re teaming up with delivery companies, who know the roads well, in order to map out where remaining potholes exist and then relentlessly target them with our record £2.5bn to pothole repair fund.

‘Better road surfaces benefit motorists and cyclists alike ensuring the back to school and work environment is safer for everyone.’

Charlie Wren, director of operations at Deliveroo, said the move would ‘make sure’ Deliveroo riders and other road users are safe on the road.

Latest Issue

latest magazine issue

 

ALSO INSIDE:

  • Exclusive: Smart Motorways
  • Are you AI protected?
  • Traffex Parkex Evex Cold Comfort
View the latest issue


Highways jobs

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £23344 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Full Time and Part TimeUp to £23,344 per annum (FTE)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Parking Finance and Debt Officer RBKC616576

£37,575 - £41,286 per annum
In Kensington and Chelsea, we put local people and local businesses at the heart of decision-making Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Street Services Officer RBKC616598

£31,716 - £35,862 per annum
Keeping our streets safe and our road-users well-informed Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Highways Network Engineer WMF1059e

£42,403 - £43,421
We are looking for strong communicators, as you will provide technical advice and guidance to colleagues Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Workshop LV Technician MOT Tester

£29,777 - £32,076 (pay award pending)
The RMBC Workshop Maintenance team has an excellent opportunity for a qualified Workshop LV Technician/MOT Tester Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Bridge Technician - WMF1065e

£32,076 - £33,024
We are currently seeking to recruit a Senior Bridge Technician to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Engineer - Highway Design

£39,186 - £43,421
Sefton Council is a vibrant local authority that is already on a journey of aspiration and ambition Sefton (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recruiter: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Structural Engineer

£44,428 - £47,420
Sefton Council is a vibrant local authority that is already on a journey of aspiration and ambition. Sefton (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recruiter: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Contract Supervisor

Salary From ) £39,534 – £42,984 Depending, Sk

Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Highways Network Officers (x2) WMF1068e

£35,745 - £36,648
The increase in new highway construction is having a direct impact on highway service delivery Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Engineer

£40,221 - £51,515
As part of a friendly and enthusiastic team, you will play an important role in designing innovative urban transport and public realm projects 100 Temple Street Redcliff Bristol BS1 6AN
Recruiter: Bristol City Council

Highways Network Engineer WMF1069e

£42,403 to £43,421
The Service is responsible for managing and delivering Westmorland and Furness Council’s duties for Highways Services Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Network Technicians (x2) WMF1075e

£26,421 to £27,334
The increase in new highway construction is having a direct impact on highway service delivery. Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Officer (Public Transport)

GRADE 06 - GRADE 08
Our Specialist Transport Service is offering an exciting opportunity Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Street Lighting Assistant Technician / Technician / Engineer - Career Grade

£22,737 - £40,221
You will ideally have experience of Street Lighting Design Software and be familiar with prevailing Street Lighting Design Standards. Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Business Improvement Officer

£31869 - £34663
We have an exciting opportunity in our Highways & Transport Business Improvement Team for a Business Improvement Officer. We are looking for an experienced, efficient, and flexible person who can provide high quality support. It is an extremely interesti One Angel Square
Recruiter: West Northamptonshire Council

Highways Contract Inspector

£36734.00 - £39278.00
This is an exciting time to join our Contact Investigation team! You don’t need experience across all aspects of the role you’re applying for as that will form part of your development journey, but you will need experience of highway projects, contrac Northampton
Recruiter: West Northamptonshire Council

Maintenance Engineer - Traffic Signals

Competitive
Reporting to the Maintenance Manager this is a great opportunity to be part of a successful and performing maintenance team, maintaining the Traffic Signals, across London. Carrying out both reactive and planned maintenance on traffic signals. England, London
Recruiter: Telent

Principal Planning Liaison Officer

£39,186 to £43,421 per annum
Working in Somerset provides the opportunity to help improve lives of the people that live here Taunton, Somerset
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Waste and Street Scene Locality Manager

£48,474 per annum - £52,504 per annum
We are looking to recruit a Waste and Street Scene Locality Manager. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Presents

 


Latest Video